The Butcher's Little Husband - Chapter 17

“Hey, look, is that our Xiaoman?” 

Tian Amu was resting under a tree, waiting for Tian Xiaoman to bring his food. Suddenly, he heard the sound of horse hooves in the distance. When he looked closely, he saw Tian Xiaoman riding towards her.

“Oh, that’s right! It looks like Wenxuan is behind him!” As the sound of the hooves grew louder, the horses came closer. 

Father Tian saw clearly that the person riding the horse was their Xiaoman, and the person behind him was  their son-in-law, Li Wenxuan.

“Father, Amu,” Tian Xiaoman called out as he dismounted from the horse. He was happy to see his parents, but even happier that he could finally get off the horse!

After dismounting, Li Wenxuan respectfully bowed to Tian Xiaoman’s parents. “Father-in-law, Amu-in-law, are you well? I’m ashamed it took me this long to come help today. I’ve been unfilial.”

“No, no, Wenxuan, you’re too polite. We know you’ve been busy. We can finish this work in no time,” Father Tian quickly reassured him. How could they complain about such a good son-in-law? The betrothal gift was generous, and he was so filial. What father-in-law wouldn’t be pleased to enjoy meals prepared by his son-in-law every day?

“Yes, Wenxuan, how did you find time to come today? Aren’t you busy at the stall?” Tian Amu asked, puzzled.

“No, I asked one of my brothers to look after the pigs for me for a few days. I just slaughtered a pig this morning and sent it to him. The pigs I like are all raised by farmers, and there are some near Xingtian Village, so I dealt with them first. I originally thought about closing the stall for a few days, but I didn’t want you all to feel guilty. After such a long day of harvesting, everyone needs proper nutrition, and I didn’t want you to have to buy it from someone else.”

“Oh, that’s good! That’s good!” Tian Amu said, relieved that he wasn’t closing the stall and missing business.

“Amu, no more questions, let’s talk while we eat!” Tian Xiaoman was eager to stop the conversation. His parents had been working all morning and must be starving. Even Li Wenxuan, after traveling, must be hungry.

“Okay, okay, let’s eat first.” 

The family sat under the tree, laid out their food on a large rock, and started eating, laughing and talking.

“Oh, today’s pig ears are so delicious. You should eat more,” Father Tian said, stuffing his mouth and picking up some with his chopsticks to give to Tian Amu.

Tian Xiaoman looked at his parents with envy. They had such a good relationship. 

As he glanced down at his bowl, he was surprised to find a pig’s ear inside. He quickly looked up and met Li Wenxuan’s gaze, who was smiling at him. Embarrassed, he lowered his head and ate quickly, not daring to look up again, though his red ears gave him away.

…

After the meal, Tian Xiaoman packed up the baskets and sat under the tree, listening to their conversation, reluctant to bring up leaving. 

Father and Tian Amu exchanged looks, smiling at each other. It seemed their son had finally realized Li Wenxuan’s good qualities. They had been worried before, fearing that Tian Xiaoman would hold on to his feelings for the scholar Zhang Bin and make foolish decisions. Fortunately, it turned out that Xiaoman had only harbored youthful feelings for him and had never truly liked him.

After all, how long could a relationship survive when there was no common language, no way to truly communicate, and only passion to hold it together?

After about half an hour of rest, Father and Tian Amu stood up to get back to work. Thankfully, they had left a sickle behind, or they would have had no tools. 

Li Wenxuan grabbed a sickle and went to the fields eagerly. Though he had never harvested rice before and his family had very little land, he was determined to learn quickly.

He watched Father Tian’s technique carefully, as Father Tian grabbed a bundle of straw with one hand, then cut it at the root with the sickle.

Li Wenxuan confidently grabbed a bundle of straw and swung the sickle. However, he used too much force and nearly cut into his own calf. Thankfully, he dodged in time, avoiding a deep cut.

Tian Xiaoman, watching from the sidelines, grew worried. “Li Wenxuan, do you know what you’re doing? If not, come up here, and I’ll do the cutting. Your movements are making me nervous!”

Li Wenxuan, pleased that Tian Xiaoman was paying so much attention to him, didn’t want to seem incapable. “Don’t worry, Xiaoman, I can do this. Watch me,” he said. 

This time, trying to be more careful, Li Wenxuan cut only a few roots, which made Tian Xiaoman laugh out loud.

Li Wenxuan remained silent and focused on cutting the rice, determined to do it right. After several attempts, he found the perfect position and angle. With a single stroke, he cut through a large section, impressing Tian Xiaoman with his progress.

Father Tian, watching from afar, couldn’t help but grumble, “Young folks are so healthy. I used to harvest rice so fast too, you know!” 

Tian Amu shot him a playful look, and Father Tian shook his head with pride, turning back to his own work.

Thanks to the combined efforts of the three, the large field was mostly harvested by sunset. 

“Alright, that’s enough for today. We’ll finish the rest tomorrow,” Tian Amu announced.

The others groaned, put down their sickles, and washed their hands in the small ditch nearby.

“Wenxuan, take Xiaoman back on horseback. His father and I will walk slowly. You two go ahead and prepare dinner,” Tian Amu said, giving Tian Xiaoman an excuse to leave early without feeling awkward about riding with Li Wenxuan in front of his parents.

“Oh,” Tian Xiaoman said, feeling a little embarrassed, but he did as his Amu instructed. He decided, though, that he would never sit in front of Li Wenxuan again.

Li Wenxuan untied the horse from the tree and approached Tian Xiaoman. “Let me help you up first.”

“No, I want to sit in the back!” Tian Xiaoman insisted.

Li Wenxuan remembered the embarrassing moment earlier that day and, though a little regretful, felt relieved. “Alright then,” he said. He mounted the horse and helped Tian Xiaoman onto the back. “Hold onto my waist, it’s safer that way.”

Tian Xiaoman was embarrassed but just grabbed his clothes instead of his waist. “I’ll just hold your clothes. It’ll be fine.”

Li Wenxuan sighed but didn’t push it. However, he had a plan to get Xiaoman to hold on properly. 

He whipped the horse, and it galloped off quickly, startling Tian Xiaoman. He screamed, feeling as though he might fall off.

“Xiaoman, hold on tight! The horse is too fast!” Li Wenxuan called over his shoulder. 

Terrified by the speed, Tian Xiaoman finally wrapped his hands around Li Wenxuan’s waist.

Li Wenxuan smiled to himself, pleased with the outcome, as they sped toward home. 

Before long, they arrived.

Tian Xiaoman jumped off the horse, stomped his foot, and walked toward the house. It took him a moment to realize Li Wenxuan’s little trick – the bad guy had done it just to make him hold on to him.

Li Wenxuan, seeing Tian Xiaoman’s little temper, couldn’t help but smile. He had gotten what he wanted, after all.

Back in the kitchen, Tian Xiaoman decided to cook mung bean porridge for dinner. He grabbed a jar of mung beans they had harvested the year before and began preparing it. The green beans mixed with white rice looked refreshing, and though the beans hadn’t been soaked, they’d have to cook longer.

Li Wenxuan tied the horse and came inside to help Tian Xiaoman light the fire. 

When you’re in love, you’re willing to do anything for the one you love—even things you once disliked.

The couple worked silently together, enjoying the quiet camaraderie. 

Tian Xiaoman decided to fry some sour beans with chili peppers as a side dish for the porridge.

After the meal was ready, Tian Xiaoman’s parents came back, and the family gathered to eat under the sunset, their hearts full of joy.